Press Release: Don’t equate refugees with terrorists – boost security instead, urge MEPs

The European Parliament held a debate during the plenary session on 25 November 2015 regarding the fight against terrorism and security.

Members of the chamber considered that 'political grandstanding' that equates refugees with terrorists only foments the hatred and disillusion that inspires those who join terrorist groups. MEPs defended that rather than allow Europe's freedoms and tolerance to be eroded, the member states should strive to strengthen security, by stepping up intelligence cooperation and data-sharing, and investing in the skills and technology needed to fight terrorism.

During the debate, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said the Eurozone's single currency would be at risk if the Schengen passport-free travel zone unravelled due to member states reimposing border controls to keep refugees out.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Meeting: Justice and Home Affairs Council, 20 November 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/meeting-justice-and-home-affairs-council-20-november-2015/

ESO: Background information: Schengen is dead? Long live Schengen! http://www.europeansources.info/record/schengen-is-dead-long-live-schengen/

Politico, 25.11.15: Juncker: No Schengen, no euro http://www.politico.eu/article/juncker-no-schengen-no-euro/

EurActiv, 25.11.15: Euro at risk if Schengen collapses, says Juncker http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/euro-risk-if-schengen-collapses-says-juncker-319829

Kathimerini, 25.11.15: Juncker says euro at risk if Schengen passport-free travel unravels http://www.ekathimerini.com/203772/article/ekathimerini/business/juncker-says-euro-at-risk-if-schengen-passport-free-travel-unravels

EUObserver, 25.11.15: Juncker: Euro doesn't make sense without Schengen https://euobserver.com/migration/131265

The Wall Street Journal, 25.11.15: End of EU Border-Free System Could See Euro Fail, Warns Juncker http://www.wsj.com/articles/end-of-eu-border-free-system-could-see-euro-fail-warns-juncker-1448442185

Politico, 26.11.15: Schengen: going, going … gone http://www.politico.eu/article/schengen-going-going-gone-terrorism-refugees/

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 25.11.15: Italy’s President Mattarella to MEPs: 'we need to tackle terrorism in the light of our values' http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20151120IPR03615/

Politico, 24.11.15: [Opinion]: The dangers of a European war on terror http://www.politico.eu/article/the-dangers-of-a-european-war-on-terror-2/

EurActiv, 27.11.15: Harlem Désir: ‘We urgently need an effective PNR system’ http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/harlem-desir-we-urgently-need-effective-pnr-system-319915

---